Barcelona have won the race for Ajax sensation Matthijs de Ligt despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, claims The Daily Mirror.
De Ligt has emerged as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe over the last 12 months and is about to secure a blockbuster move to one of the biggest clubs on the continent.
Liverpool and City were both interested in signing the teenager but the 19-year-old is Barcelona bound after being identified as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique.
Barcelona also wanted to sign De Ligt’s Ajax team-mate, Frankie De Jong, but have accepted defeat to City in the race to land the Netherlands international.
The Spanish giants are prepared to shatter the world record fee for a teenage defender in order to ensure they do not lose out on De Ligt’s signature.
Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens both left Ajax to join Barcelona in the 1970s and now De Ligt is poised to follow the same path.
Of Eredivisie players that have made at least 10 appearances this season, only two have a better pass success rate than De Ligt (91.8%).
